Course Name & Number

SPCH 1315

Public Speaking [MW]

Semester & Year

SPRING 2018

Catalog Description

This course focuses on the process of oral communication and

its relation to communication.  Emphasis is placed on

extemporaneous speaking in both individual and group formats.

Textbooks &  Materials

Required / Recommended

 Dan O’Hair, Rob Stewart, Hannah Rubenstein, A Speaker’s Guidebook: Text and Reference, 6th edition, Bedford St Martin’s; ISBN: 978-1-457-66353-6.

Instructor’s Name

Dee Ann McFarlin

Office Phone #

(940) 498-6205

Instructor’s Office #

Corinth Rm. 313

Office Fax #

E-mail Address

dmcfarlin@nctc.edu

Office Hours

MW: 7:00-8:00 am,

12:30 -1:30 pm

T: 7:30-9:30 am,

12:00-2:00 pm

R: 12:00-2:00 pm

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the foundational models of communication.
2. Apply elements of audience analysis.
3. Demonstrate ethical speaking and listening skills by analyzing presentations for evidence and logic.
4. Research, develop, and deliver extemporaneous speeches with effective verbal and nonverbal techniques.
5. Demonstrate effective use of technology when researching and/or presenting speeches.
6. Identify how culture, ethnicity, and gender influence communication. 
7. Develop proficiency in presenting a variety of speeches as an individual or group (e.g. narrative, informative, or persuasive.  [Rev. 8-4-17]

Core Objectives

Foundational Component Area:  Language, Philosophy, and Culture.

• Critical Thinking Skills (CT)- to include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information.
• Communication Skills (COM)- to include effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral, and visual communication.
• Teamwork (TW)- to include the ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal.
• Personal Responsibility (PR)- to include the ability to connect choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision-making.

 [Rev. 5-2014  THECB]

Grading Policy & Procedures

If you disagree with any posted grade, you have 48 hours from the time the grade is posted to dispute the grade. Instructions for disputing a grade are given in the Important Documents Module.

All assignments are due as specified on the daily schedule. If it is necessary to change a due date, that information will be given in class. Failure to know of an assignment due date announced in class due to absence or any other reason will NOT be excused. The instructor is not obligated to allow make-up speeches. Required outlines, reports, and/or research, if late, will be downgraded by 10 points each of the four days of the work week (M-R).  Students who are tardy to class and present outlines to the instructor upon their arrival or at the end of class will have their outlines downgraded by 5 points. That process will continue until an F is recorded for the assignment. The student, however, must still attempt the assignment. A student must attempt the persuasive speech in order to receive a passing semester grade in this course.

Presentations, outlines, and research will be prepared using techniques presented in lecture. When there is a discrepancy between the textbook and instructor, use the instructor’s methods. The textbook is an information resource but is not necessarily what the instructor expects on assignments for the class.

All outlines and Works Cited sheets are due on the first scheduled speaking day. All outlines are to be typed and STAPLED OR PAPER-CLIPPED. If an outline is not fastened with a staple or paper clip, points will be deducted from the outline. DO NOT ask to use the instructor’s stapler. It is your responsibility as a student to have all materials necessary to satisfactorily turn in an assignment. The instructor will not return written material to the student until after the student’s presentation.

There are no make-ups for missed exams, group activities, group presentations, pop-quizzes, pop-impromptu speeches, or class activities. There is no extra-credit or do-over work for this class.

The final exam or activity is mandatory. If a student does not take the final exam or participate in the final exam activity, his/her earned semester grade will be lowered by one letter grade.

Cell phones are to be turned off or placed on silent BEFORE entering class. If your cell phone sounds during class, you will be warned the first time. If your cell phone sounds while the instructor is talking, you will be instructed to leave class and will be counted absent for the day. If your cell phone sounds during another student’s speech, either: 1) you will leave, be counted absent, and your grade for that same speech will be lowered by five points, whether or not you have already given your speech or 2) the entire class will have a pop-quiz. If you leave class to answer a cell phone/pager, you will be counted absent for the day. If you think you have extenuating circumstances that require you to answer your phone/pager, talk to the instructor before class.

The instructor will not tolerate sleeping, doing homework, or other shows of non-participation in class. If any of these occur, the student will be counted tardy or absent for the day (at the instructor’s discretion).

The speaker must be dressed appropriately for his/her presentation. Dress as if you were teaching a college course for the day. This means: no hats, no shorts, a solid shirt (no writing on the shirt), no sunglasses, no ripped jeans, no revealing clothing, etc. Your eyes must be visible. Tie back your hair, turn the bill on your cap backward, etc. If in the instructor’s opinion you are not appropriately dressed, 10 points will be deducted from your speech. If you have any questions concerning dress, contact your instructor well before the day you are to deliver your speech.

All work and communication submitted--from an outline to an email--must be written using all aspects of Standard English--capitalization, spelling, punctuation, grammar, syntax, etc. This means you may not use emoticons. You will lose points on your assignment if you do not use Standard English. If you email me using emoticons or text-messaging jargon, I will return the email to you requesting that you resubmit it using Standard English.

The final grade will be determined by the following tentative point system.

90-100% = A; 80=89% = B; 70-79% = C; 60-69% = D; 0-59% = F

Tentative Assignments

Scholastic Integrity

Scholastic Dishonesty shall include, but not be limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.  See Student Handbook “Students Rights & Responsibilities: Student Conduct [FLB  (LOCAL)]” #18.

Disciplinary Actions [Student Handbook, #5] “When cheating, collusion, or plagiarism had occurred beyond any reasonable doubt, the instructor may give the student or students involved an “F” on a particular assignment or in the course.  [See Scholastic Dishonesty FBL (Local).] The instructor shall make a written report of the incident and of the planned action to his Department Chair.  The Department Chair shall report the incident and action to appropriate instructional dean who shall review the case, notify the student and, if necessary, take further action.  This may involve either probation or suspension of the student or students in question.  If such disciplinary action is deemed necessary, the Dean of Students shall be notified, and the action shall be taken through that office.” 

Plagiarism, which should be avoided at all costs, includes the following student actions:

1. Turning in someone else’s ideas, opinions, theories, or work as your own:
2. Unintentionally or inadvertently turning in someone else’s ideas, opinions, theories, or work as your own as the result of failing to document sources both internally and in the Works Cited;
3. Copying words, ideas, or images from someone without giving credit; failing to put a quotation in quotation marks;
4. Giving incorrect information about the source of information, quotations, or images;
5. Changing words but copying the sentence structure of a source without giving credit;
6. Copying so many words, ideas, or images from a source that it makes up the majority of the student’s work, whether or not the student gives credit. 

[Rev. 3-2-2012-Plagiarism text added cb]

Attendance Policy

You are expected to attend all classes. Your presence in class is as important when you are a listener as it is when you are a speaker. You will, consequently, be penalized for excessive absences. Three tardies equal one absence. If you are tardy, it is your responsibility to see that the instructor marks you present before you leave class that day. Students who leave class before being dismissed by the instructor will be counted absent or tardy (at the discretion of the instructor). Those who leave at break (when one is given) will counted absent. The absence limit varies with the day and meeting schedule of the class. The absence limit is three (3) for classes meeting two (2) times a week. The limit for classes meeting one time a week is two (2) absences. When you have exceeded the allowed number of absences, your instructor reserves the right to drop you from the class. If your instructor chooses to allow you to make up an absence(s), you must attend two other classes (taught by your instructor) for each class you have missed.  No further warnings concerning absences will be given. It is the student’s responsibility to remember absences. 

Absences are sometimes excused. If you feel you have justification, then email your request to the instructor. You will receive the answer by email. Email is the only means by which absences may be excused in this class. Do not assume that smiling or nodding on the instructor’s part is acknowledgment of an excused absence.

ADA Statement

North Central Texas College does not discriminate on the basis of disability for admission or access to its programs.  The college is committed to providing equal access to its students with disabilities by providing appropriate accommodations; a variety of services and resources are made available through the ACCESS Department.  Students are responsible for notifying the ACCESS Department of their need for assistance.  Students with documented disabilities, such as mobility impairment, hearing or visual impairment, learning and/or psychological disorders are eligible for services.

Disability Accommodations

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides accommodations for students who have a documented disability.  A disability is anything that can interfere with learning, such as a learning disability, a psychological challenge, physical illness, or injury.  Accommodations may include extra time on tests, tests in a distraction-reduced environment, volunteer note taker in class, etc. 

On the Corinth campus, go to room 170 or call 940-498-6207.  On the Gainesville campus, go to room 110 in the Administration Building (100) or call 940-668-4209. Students on the Bowie, Graham, Flower Mound, and online campuses should call 940-668-4209 to arrange for an intake appointment with OSD.

North Central Texas College is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-112).

[Rev. 7-25-2012 per Brent Wallace/Mary Martinson.]

EEOC Statement

North Central Texas College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, or disability in the employment or the provision of services.

Calendar or Course Outline

18 Spring MW

1315 Tentative Daily Schedule

Other Pertinent Information

Drops – The instructor will not drop students with excessive absences from this class.  The only verbal warning is given the first day class meets.  The last day to drop class with an automatic assignment of ‘W’ grade is April 5, 2018.

Discipline – Speech class by its nature is loosely structured.  The instructor does expect everyone to treat all members of the class with respect at all times. Behavior that negatively affects the overall participatory nature of the group will not be allowed.  Students who consistently break the rules or are disruptive of the class will be dropped from the class.  This is solely at the discretion of the instructor.

Tobacco-Free Campus

NCTC restricts the use of all tobacco products cigarettes, cigars, pipes, electronic cigarettes, and smokeless tobacco on campus property.  NCTC is aware that tobacco use influences underage students, which cumulates unsightly tobacco litter and interferes with assuring clean air for all who come to NCTC.  NCTC recognizes the health hazards of tobacco use and of second hand smoke.  Information on a tobacco cessation program is available for students, faculty, staff who wish to stop using tobacco products.  We would like to “thank you” for your help in making our campuses Tobacco-Free.  For questions or concerns, please contact the Office of Vice President of Student Services at 940-668-4240.

[Rev. 5-2014]